Succinimides include - Ethosuximide, Methsuximide, Phensuximide
Refer- Succinimides

Interacting drugs- summary


            Valproic acid  + Ethosuximide                                                                                                Ethosuximide blood levels may increase or decrease

 

Anticonvulasant

 

Bone marrow depression.  Blood dyscrasias,drowsiness,ataxia,dizziness.
 Hepatic,renal behaviour, psychological and G.I. disorders,
Sytemic lupus erythematoses
 Stevens-Johnson syndrome,headache,rash.
 

Hypersensitivity.

Special precautions:
Children,pregnancy.

 

Indications:
Anticonvulasant

Dosage:
Children - (3 to 6 years)- Initial dose  250mg/day
Children and adults(over  6 years)- 500mg/day.
 

1. If GI  upset occurs,take with food or drinks.
2.Do not discontinue medication abruptly or change dosage,except on advice of physician.
3 May cause drowsiness,dizziness or blurred vision,alcohol may exacerbate these effects. Use   caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness or physical dexterity.
4. Notify physician if allergic symptoms occur. eg. skin rash, loint pain, unexplained fever, sore
    throat, unusual bleeding or bruising,drowsiness,dizziness, blurred vision or pregnancy
 

Pharmacology:
Succinamides suppress the paroxysmal three cycle per second spike and wave activity
associated with lapses of consciousness common in absence(petit mal) seizures. The frequency of attacks is reduced,apparently by motor cortex depression and elevation of the threshold of CNS convulsive stimuli.

Phamacokinetics:
Readily absorbed from the GI tract. Peak serum levels of ethosuximide are acheived in 3 to 7 hours.

Metabolition:
Ethosuximide is extensively metabolised to inactive metabolites: approximately  20% excreted unchanged via the kidneys. The plasma half-life is 30 hoursin children and 60 hours in adults.  

 

Reports not available

Pregnancy:
Reports suggest an association between use of anticonvulsant drugs by women and epilepsy
and elevated  incidence of birth defects in children born out of these women. Observe caution while
admnistering this drug during  pregnacy

Lactation:
The drug is excreted in breast milk. Because of the potential serious adverse reactions
in nursing infants, decide whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug.